It is nothing short of astonishing that the heads of four of the country’s most prestigious schools blatantly disregarded established processes, procedures, and protocols an act that has left many in utter disbelief. How could leaders entrusted with shaping the next generation so carelessly commit such a fundamental administrative blunder? The sheer audacity of the move raises a troubling question: was this a case of shocking arrogance, or a staggering display of ignorance?
Former President of the Sri Lanka Association of Rugby Football Referees and current Asia Rugby Referees Manager, Dilroy Fernando, along with the principals of Royal, Trinity, Isipatana, and S. Thomas’ Colleges and the foreign referees flown in to officiate today’s high-stakes inter-school rugby league matches were left red-faced after being firmly overruled by Sri Lanka Rugby’s Working Task Force (SLR WTF) Chairman, Senior DIG (Rtd) M.R. Latiff.
In a strongly worded letter addressed to the Secretary of the Ministry of Sports, Latiff categorically rejected the schools’ attempt to unilaterally install foreign referees for the Trinity vs. Royal and Isipathana vs. S. Thomas’ fixtures. Known for his straight-shooting style and impeccable track record as a decorated Special Task Force (STF) officer, Latiff condemned the move as a direct violation of protocols unanimously agreed upon at the stakeholder meeting held on April 24, 2025.
He stressed that the schools’ actions undermined the authority of Sri Lanka Rugby and threatened to cause rifts among the key institutions responsible for school rugby governance Sri Lanka Rugby (SLR), the Sri Lanka Schools Rugby Football Association (SLSRFA), and the Sri Lanka Society of Rugby Football Referees (SLSRFR).
A Coordinated Attempt to Sidestep SLR
What shocked observers was the level of coordination behind this effort. The four prominent schools, despite their storied rugby legacies, sought to bypass SLR protocols and independently nominate foreign referees for their matches. Asia Rugby was reportedly footing the bill for the referees’ airfares, while the schools agreed to cover all other expenses, clearly indicating that this plan had been in motion for some time.
This unauthorized maneuver, however, was met with immediate and firm resistance. Latiff reminded all involved that Sri Lanka Rugby is the official governing body recognized by World Rugby and that no institution, school, or individual had the authority to override its regulations.
Wimal Senanayake Under Fire – Again
At the heart of the scandal is Sri Lanka Rugby’s Citing Commissioner, Wimal Senanayake. Already under scrutiny for his involvement in previous citing controversies, Senanayake further inflamed tensions by appointing Vimal Perera as the citing officer for the Isipathana vs. S. Thomas’ College match, where Lady Sunny Lee, a foreign referee, had been nominated to officiate.
Latiff responded with a sharp rebuke via email, reminding Senanayake that citing appointments must follow the directive issued by the Director General of Sports on April 24, 2025. The email, which was copied to the Secretary of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, DG of Sports Rear Admiral (Rtd) Prof. Shemal Fernando, and the presidents of both SLSRFA and SLSRFR, underscored that any deviation from this directive undermines the legitimacy of matches and disrespects Sri Lanka Rugby’s governing authority.
Not Senanayake’s First Scandal
This controversy is not Senanayake’s first. Last season, he was embroiled in a serious incident where a citing report submitted by Colonel (Rtd) Prasanjith Wanigasekera, who officiated the St. Peter’s College vs. Zahira College match, mysteriously disappeared. The report highlighted serious offenses under rules 9.11 (reckless behavior) and 9.18 (dangerous tackles), but SLSRFA Secretary Manuja claimed the association never received it. The failure to act on the report resulted in no disciplinary action being taken against a St. Peter’s player who should have faced consequences for a red card offense.
The scandal was widely reported by The Morning Telegraph in a July 31, 2024 article titled “Schools Rugby Scandal: St. Peter’s College Provided Unfair Edge – (Video)” further damaging Senanayake’s credibility.
Foreign Referees and Visa Concerns Spark Urgent Action
Adding to the urgency, SLSRFR President Dinka Peiris warned of serious concerns over foreign referees Lady Sunny Lee and Francisco Camissa originally brought in to officiate an Asia Rugby match between Sri Lanka and Dubai. Peiris alleged that the two were now being reassigned to officiate the domestic school matches, sidelining the properly appointed local referees, Ishanka Abeykoon and Raveen Alexander.
Peiris raised alarms that host schools were planning to block SLSRFR officials from entering the venues in Mount Lavinia and Pallekele, and unlawfully replace them with the foreign officials. He called for police protection at both grounds and also flagged potential visa violations, pointing out that the referees were permitted entry for Asia Rugby matches only, not local competitions.
Dilroy Fernando Accused of Backroom Maneuvering
Compounding the controversy, Peiris accused Dilroy Fernando of attempting to enlist support from the Western and Central Province Rugby Football Unions to provide assistant referees for the foreign officials. Such appointments, Peiris stressed, were a direct breach of the April 24 directive and constituted a serious challenge to SLR’s authority.
Peiris urged Latiff to immediately issue a directive banning provincial unions from making any referee appointments to SLSRFA-sanctioned matches and insisted that only SLSRFR retains the mandate for such appointments. He also called on Latiff to instruct all citing officers under SLR to abstain from participating in any match involving unauthorized referees declaring that such matches would be unofficial and invalid.
Latiff Draws the Line
As the scandal unfolds, Latiff’s decisive response has reaffirmed his position as a guardian of due process within Sri Lankan rugby. His directive is clear: any match officiated by unsanctioned foreign referees or unauthorized provincial officials will be deemed unofficial. He further reiterated that citing officers must not engage in any such fixtures.
Latiff’s hard stance sends an unambiguous message to all stakeholders regardless of their prestige or position: under his watch, the rule book is not a suggestion but a mandate. Rugby in Sri Lanka will not be reduced to administrative chaos or personal power plays. Governance, integrity, and transparency will prevail under his watch.
We need more unbiased fearless gentlemen like Latif and Marso to prevent unlawful activities in the rugby setup
Spot on Mr.Latif. this has been happening for many years and Dilroy thinks that SLR is his and he can do what ever he wants. Even when he use to be a referee he always favoured the top tier school. Good lesson for all who think they are above the laws.
Trinity, Royal, Isipatana and STC are amongst thousands of other schools in this country. I wonder how a few schools can be ranked higher?
The present referees are doing a very decent job and they should be encouraged.
If not in order to dish out equality, authority should act on every request. Tomorrow if Mahanama and Thurston request a foreign ref for their match, he should get one for them too.
Possible???